Oregon Invaded By Wine Aliens

Oregon must feel under attack as prime vineyard property
continues to be acquired by California companies. I reported
in Issue 31 that The Evening Lands (TEL) based in California
acquired a long-term lease for the Seven Springs and Anden
Vineyards and may purchase the vineyards eventually.
Vintage Wine Trust Inc., a real estate investment trust focused
solely only on the wine and vineyard industry, recently acquired
the 45-acre Farmer Road Vineyard in the Willamette
Valley for $1.27 million. The vineyard is leased to A to Z Wineworks
(owned by Bill Hatcher and Sam Tannahill), the largest
wine producer in Oregon. Vintage Wine Trust Inc. acquires
vineyard properties and then leases them to sellers or third
parties. Currently, they own two winery facilities with vineyards
and control 5,329 net vine acres, located primarily in
California. They plan to further expand their vineyard holdings
in Oregon in the future. The scramble for prime vineyard
land (see article on Premier Pacific in this issue), particularly
locations ideal for Pinot Noir, will continue to intensify in
Oregon as well as California.